What is hard water?

Hard water is a result of the harmless minerals calcium and magnesium in your water supply. These minerals are naturally present as water passes through rock and soil.

The hardness of water is commonly measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/l). Anything below 60 mg/l is considered soft; 61–120 mg/l is moderately hard; 121–180 mg/l is hard; and 181+ mg/l is very hard. Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland have some of the hardest water in the country.

Hard water areas have higher levels of calcium and bicarbonate ions. These ions bind together when heat or pressure are present to form calcium carbonate – commonly known as limescale. This is what you see on your kettle, taps, showerheads and inside your appliances.

Limescale reduces efficiency, increases energy bills, and shortens the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances. ActivFlo prevents this build-up without removing the beneficial minerals from your water.